A review of literature examining the problem of child emotional maltreatment found numerous factors that need to be considered when assessing the presence of maltreatment. These factors include the child's age, the frequency and severity of behavior shown by caregivers, cultural norms, and parental beliefs and goals in childrearing. These factors and an often overly broad and imprecise definition of child emotional maltreatment can lead to confusion and inconsistent action on the part of public health officials. This paper aims to provide a distinction between poor parenting methods and emotionally abusive and neglectful parenting methods based on what is used in the scientific and professional literature. A discussion is presented on what constitutes poor childrearing methods, what is considered emotionally abusive or neglectful childrearing methods, and the impact that these methods have on child development. Recommendations include a set of practical guidelines for enabling officials to distinguish between the two parenting methods and developing more focused intervention responses. References and appendixes